Consistent gelding Apprehend made the most of racing at his home track by winning the Alan Wicks Handicap today after seven consecutive starts at Moonee Valley over the past few months.

Trained at Caulfield by Tony Vasil, Apprehend has already won at the track last July, running three seconds and a third from 7 subsequent starts.

"He's been a model of consistency without winning", Vasil observed.

In today's race, apprentice Brent Evans took Apprehend to the front in the early stages of the 2400m event.

Challenged for the lead by Wildly Excited, Evans let Apprehend settle behind while the pair set up a break of 4 lengths over Interlocking.

Apprehend ($7.00-$8.50) again went to the lead on the turn and defied all attempts to run him down in the straight.

Pentire Point ($14-$15-$14) came from well back to get within a half neck, beating Macedonian ($4.40-$5.00) for second by a short half head.

"I saw this race a couple of weeks ago and I thought it would suit him", said Vasil when asked why he had moved away from racing at Moonee Valley.

Apprehend has had a remarkable 20 runs this preparation, having been in work since early 2009.

"I can't remember the last horse that I've trained that had so many runs in one preparation", said Vasil.

"He just keeps coming up trumps every time. He's amazing."

"He just likes being in work."

"Every run you think he'll put in a curly one and he just keeps running good."

Vasil praised the performance of Evans who he first noticed when on a trip to Queensland earlier this year.

"It was a very good ride", he said.

"He used his nous and rides good this boy."

Today was Evans first city win at a Saturday race meeting in Victoria.

Photos: Quentin Lang

© Cyberhorse 2010 Bill Saunders Published 26/12/09